Ecosystem restoration and biodiversity enhancement

Type of organization: Community-based association or organization / Community enterprise or business

Description

Due to deforestation for fuel, timber & farming, we promote afforestation & agroforestry.

We afforest using both indigenous & exotic trees while most people plant only the fast growing, commercially viable Eucalyptus usually for harvest.

Our 20 acre indigenous tree cover planted over 10 years and preserved, enhances biodiversity with wildlife like birds, bees, butterflies, snakes and monkeys thriving. They use it as a migration corridor from the adjacent Saiwa Swamp National Park, contributing to tourism.

Agroforestry demonstrates year through subsistence food crops. We include the Moringa tree, a nutritious food source that is medicinal yet unknown to most people here. We are introducing its planting on small farms that grow only vegetables.

Environmental conservation has been viewed as for implementation by those with bigger land but we promote planting as few as 5 Moringa or fruit trees on small farms for food & nutrition, income from surplus and a wider conservation cover and effect.

Related Sustainable Development Goal(s)

Environmental Impacts

Afforestation of 20 acres on 65 acres has surpassed the national target of 10% cover per property. This has contributed to the restoration of River Nzoia Basin that is in Kenya's' most degraded water tower i.e. Cherangany hills. The trees regulate evaporation, energy, temperature, rain & purifying the air.

We demonstrate and promote utilising the environment in a way that protects it for posterity's' health and wealth.

Scalability

Cherangany water tower is the most degraded in Kenya, requiring restoration. It provides water to over 1 million people for sanitation, drinking & farming. The government is focusing on saving it via community participation. With the drought, we need rural & urban action.

If the rate of water & forests depletion is faster than growth, they will perish & stunt development.

Replication is being done by over 50 small scale farmers having land from as little as less than an acre. They replicate in part by implementing agroforestry, apiculture or afforestation.

The government, individuals & concerned organisations, together promote Non-Timber Forest Products enterprises to encourage environmental conservation. Capacity building in demonstration farms like ours is carried out by e.g. Kenya Forestry Services & Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries. Local trainers are effective, relating well as field workers.

Replication nationally will reverse the current drought status for posterity

Replicability

Successful replication of our integration farming model can & is being done within the Cherangany villages in Kenya by over 50 small scale farmers having land from as little as less than an acre. They replicate in part by implementing agroforestry, apiculture, afforestation or wetland reclamation.

We could successfully replicate to other parts of the County and Countries through participatory demonstration, to ensure evidence for buy in and share relevant indigenous knowledge and skills. Local trainers are effective as they relate well and work as field workers. Capacity building by professionals should always be incorporated to advice depending on the locality.